Child garment and restraining device

ABSTRACT

A garment and restraining device is provided comprising an attachment for attaching a leash or tether and a tether attached to the attachment of the garment for controlling or restraining a child.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/197,289 filed Oct. 24, 2008, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to garments to be worn by achild, and more particularly to garments having safety features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Anyone who has cared for small children knows the difficulties that maybe encountered in attempting to lead or control a child when they do notwish to be controlled, or in attempting to grasp a child that haswandered away. In addition, anyone who has a child can relate to thefear of a child being kidnapped.

Even if a caregiver is able to grasp the child by the arm or hand, achild is still free to undergo considerable range of movement becausethe caregiver often lacks sufficient leverage to control the child.Conventional clothing fails to restrain the person wearing the clothingwhen it is necessary to do so, for example, to prevent a child fromrunning out into traffic.

It is therefore desirable to provide an article of clothing forrestraining the person wearing the article of clothing. It would befurther desirable if the article of clothing included a restrainingdevice that is removable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an article of clothing is provided for controlling thechild wearing the clothing in which the restraining device is easilyremovable.

In one embodiment of the child's garment and restraining device of thepresent invention, the garment includes a restraint or control havingone or more handles or loops incorporated into the garment, such thatthe one or more handles or loops are positioned approximately on theexterior surface of the garment on the person's back. It is envisionedthat the handle or loop may include material which is stitched directlyto the garment or is removable. Alternatively, the handle or loop may beeyelets or rings which are integrated into the garment or is removable.

In particular, the one or more handles are used as a point of attachmentfor at least one leash or tether, which a caregiver can manipulate tocontrol or restrain a child wearing the garment. It is envisioned thatthe garment can be a shirt, blouse, jacket, or the like, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. It is alsoenvisioned that the garment of the present invention may include ahandle or loop which is positioned approximately on one or moreshoulders of the person wearing the garment. Furthermore, it isenvisioned that the garment of the present invention may include atleast one handle or loop which is positioned approximately on the backof the person wearing the garment as well as at least one handle or loopwhich is positioned approximately on one or more shoulders of the personwearing the garment.

In another embodiment, the child's garment and restraining deviceincludes at least one removable strap, such that the strap is positionedapproximately on the back of the person wearing the garment. Inparticular, the strap provides a point of attachment for a leash ortether, which a caregiver can manipulate to control or restrain a childwearing the garment. Alternatively, the strap may provide an area whichthe child's caregiver may grab to control or restrain the child. It isenvisioned that the garment of the present invention may include aremovable strap which is positioned approximately on one or moreshoulders of the person wearing the garment. Furthermore, it isenvisioned that the garment of the present invention may include atleast one (1) removable strap which is positioned approximately on theback of the person wearing the garment as well as at least one removablestrap which is positioned approximately on one or more shoulders of theperson wearing the garment.

In another embodiment, the garment has a first piece of material, suchthat the material is positioned around a child's chest, stomach and/orback, under the arms of the child. The garment includes a second pieceof material which is inserted into the first piece of material to securethe first piece of material around the child's chest, stomach and/orback. The second piece of material further includes a stop, such as acord stop, which is positioned on the child's back. The second piece ofmaterial is inserted into the first piece of material, such that pullingthe second piece of material locks the second piece of material inplace. After locking the second piece of material in place, thecaregiver may attach a leash or tether to the stop of the second pieceof material, which a caregiver can manipulate to control or restrain achild wearing the garment. In one particular embodiment, both the firstmaterial and the second material are on the inside of the garment andthe cord stop is a buttonhole type opening, thus allowing for a fulldesign on the front of the garment.

In another embodiment, the garment includes a first piece of materialhaving a hook or loop, such that the first material is positioned arounda child's chest, stomach and/or back, under the arms of the child andthe hook or loop is positioned approximately on the back of the child.The garment includes a second piece of material which is tied such thatthe first piece of material is maintained around the child's chest,stomach and/or back. The caregiver may attach a leash or tether to thehook or loop of the first piece of material, which a caregiver canmanipulate to control or restrain a child wearing the garment.

In one embodiment, the garment includes eyelets or rings on each side ofthe garment. It is envisioned that the eyelets or rings may be disposedon each side of the garment and may be used as a point of attachment forat least one leash or tether, which a caregiver can manipulate tocontrol or restrain a child wearing the garment. When the caregiver usesthe leash to restrain the child they will pull the eyelets or ringswhich will tighten the garment, thereby providing for better controlaround the child's body. Preferably, the eyelets or rings will bediscrete, such that they will be tight against the article of clothing,thereby avoiding the possibility that the eyelets or rings will catchanother object. The eyelets or rings may be sewn inside the article ofclothing and/or covered with material such as Velcro or otherwisehidden. In an alternative embodiment, the tether is connectedapproximately in the middle of the tether and is attached to at leastone eyelet or ring on each side of the garment. Following attachment ofthe tether to at least one eyelet or ring on each side of the garment, asecond tether is connected to the first tether, which a caregiver canmanipulate to control or restrain a child wearing the garment.

In one embodiment, the garment is a jacket having a piece of materialsewn around the jacket. A heavy-weight strap containing slide-releasebuckles is inserted into the material. The buckle is closed over thejacket zipper. A caregiver can secure the child by hooking the leashinto the heavy-weight loop that is sewn through all layers of thejacket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become more readily apparent from the description below withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and rear views, respectively of an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of first and second strips attached to agarment;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a cord stop connected to the first andsecond strips;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and rear views, respectively, of a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a snap clip leash;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front and rear views, respectively, of anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a twin snap dip leash;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are front and rear views, respectively, of yet anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, front and rear views of yet anotherembodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 15 is a partly sectional, perspective detail view of a portion ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14.

Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments of the child's garment and restraining devicedisclosed are discussed in terms of garments for children and moreparticularly, in terms of children's garments which may be used asrestraining devices or safety devices. It is envisioned that the child'sgarment and restraining device disclosed provide for facile control orrestrain of a child. It is further envisioned that the presentdisclosure may be employed to control or restrain individuals of allsizes, including adults.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in thespecification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particularnumerical value includes at least that particular value, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein asfrom “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about”or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

The following discussion includes a description of a child's garment andrestraining device and related components of the child's garment andrestraining device in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. The garment of thepresent invention, and the components thereof, may be fabricated frommaterials suitable for children's garments, including cotton, polyester,spandex, nylon, or a combination thereof, depending on preference. Thegarment of the present invention may be one of a variety of differenttypes of garments including but not limited to upper garments such asT-shirts, polo shirts, dresses, jackets, and tank tops without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Reference will now be made in detailto the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which areillustrated in the accompanying figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the child's garment and restrainingdevice 100 of the present invention includes a garment 101 having arestraining band assembly 110 positioned around a child's stomach orchest and back, under the arms of the child, as shown in FIG. 1. Therestraining band assembly 110 preferably includes flexible outer firstband 111 defining an interior channel 111 a in which a second flexibleband 112 is disposed as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, outer first band111 is securely attached to garment 101 by, for example, sewing,stitching or any means suitable for the purposes described herein.Alternatively, outer first band 111 is removable and can be used inconjunction with any suitable garment of a child's wardrobe. Outer firstband 111 can be fabricated from grosgrain fabric in any suitable widthor color. Preferably, outer first band 111 has a highly visible, brightcolor, fluorescent color and/or is made of highly reflective materialsuch as that commonly available material to make clothing moreaccessible at night in the headlights of oncoming motor vehicles. Thesecond flexible band 112 can be fabricated from grosgrain fabric, or anyother fabric. Optionally, second band 112 can be fabricated from anelastic or stretchable material such as spandex.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the restraining band assembly 110includes a cord stop 113 fixedly attached to the first band 111. Thesecond band 112 extends out of the interior channel 111 a and overmiddle bar 113 a of the cord stop. The cord stop 113 can be fabricatedfrom any material suitable for the purposes described herein such asplastic, metal, ceramic and the like.

The restraining band assembly 110 is used in connection with a leashsuch as leash 120 illustrated in FIG. 7. Leash 120 includes a tether 121of suitable length and preferably of slash resistant material, which isheld at one end by the child's caretaker and may include a hand loop(not shown) to facilitate secure holding of the tether 121. The otherend of the leash includes a swivel attached snap link mechanism 122including a loop 123 defining a gap, an activation slide button 124, anda spring mounted projection 125 extending across the gap in loop 13. Toemploy the restraining band assembly 110, the caretaker opens the snaplink 122 by using the slide button 124 to move the projection 125. Thecaregiver then clips the open loop 123 onto the exposed portion of thesecond band 112 extending across the cord stop 113, and then allows thesnap link to close. The leash can then be held to restrain the childwearing the garment and restraining device 100. Various leashes such asdescribed herein and other leashes with alternative snap link connectorsare well known and commercially available.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, in an alternative embodiment 200 whichincludes garment 101 and restraining band assembly 210, the restrainingband assembly 210 includes flexible outer first band 111 and secondflexible band 112 disposed inside of outer first band 111 as describedabove. As with embodiment 110 flexible band 111 of the assembly 210 canbe fixedly attached to the garment or optionally removable therefrom.However, in the restraining band assembly 210, the second flexible band112 extends out of the flexible outer first band 111 in the front of thegarment 101 and thereby exposes two end portions, which can be pulled totighten the restraining band assembly 210, and tied into a knot 115.

Referring to FIG. 6, the restraining band assembly includes a link 213to which a snap link 122 of a leash 120 can be removably attached.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the restraining band assembly 210 can be sewn intothe inside of the garment 101. At the back of the garment the secondflexible band 112 can be exposed through a hole 102 in the garment andlink 213 disposed around the second band 112 to permit snap linkattachment by a leash 120. Moreover, garment 101 can optionally includea fabric flap 105 positioned above hole 102 with a Velcro® hook and looptype fastener 106 on an inner surface of the flap 105 and acorresponding Velcro® fastener 107 positioned below hole 102. Flap 105can be lifted to gain access to link 213 or closed over hole 102 toprevent rain or debris from entering the hole 102. Also, in the closedposition, flap 105 prevents the link 213 from catching on branches orother obstructions.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, yet another embodiment 300 of theinvention includes a restraining band assembly 310 connected to garment101. Restraining band assembly 310 includes a flexible outer first band111 and a second flexible band 112 disposed therein as described above.The restraining band assembly 310 extends across the front of thegarment 101 at around the chest level of the garment. However, as seenin the rear view of the garment 101 as shown in FIG. 9, the restrainingband assembly terminates in two eyelets or links 311 a and 311 b locatedat opposite left and right sides of the garment. These rings serve asconnection points for a two-snap link leash as shown in FIG. 10.Alternatively, or in addition, one or more loops 320 can be fixed togarment 101 at the shoulders, and the snap links of the leash attachedthereto.

More specifically, leash 130 includes a tether 131 attached to a firstsnap link mechanism 132. Snap link mechanism 132 is connected to twoother tethers 133 and 135, each terminating with snap links 134 and 136,respectively. For use in connection with restraining band assembly 310,snap link 134 is connected to ring 311 a and snap link 136 is connectedto link 311 b. Alternatively, leash 130 can be employed to restrain twochildren using the previously described embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, embodiment 400 of the inventionincludes garment 101 having a front closure 402 such as a zipper,buttons, Velcro® type closure and the like. Restraining band assembly410 includes flexible outer first band 111 and a second flexible band112 disposed therein as described above. The restraining band assembly410 extends around garment 401 at about the chest level. The secondflexible band 112 extends outside the flexible outer first band 111 atthe front of the garment. Each exposed end of the second flexible band112 is connected to a respective piece of a two-piece snap-togetherbuckle 413. As can be seen from the rear view shown in FIG. 12,restraining band assembly 410 includes a link 414 attached to the rearof the flexible outer first band for connection to a snap link of aleash as described above with respect to the embodiment 210. Also, therestraining band assembly 410 can be sewn into the interior of thegarment 401 with an opening in the rear for exposure of the secondflexible band 112 and connection of a link thereto, as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, and also can optionally include a protective flap 105such as shown in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrates an embodiment 500 of the invention whereinthe outer first band 111 is sewn or otherwise secured to the insidesurface of garment 101 (e.g., a shirt) with the second flexible band 112slidably disposed within the space between the outer first band 111 andthe inside surface of the garment 101. Two eyelets 103 are positioned atthe back of the garment and the second flexible band 112 extends outsidethe garment passing through the eyelets 103 as shown. The exposedportion of the second flexible band 112 between the eyelets 103 can begrasped by the snap link of the leash. The outer first band ispreferably sewn along its edges to the inside surface of the garmentwith fine stitching so that it is essentially seamless with the shirt.That is, the joining of the outer first band 111 to the inside ofgarment 101 presents no seam or other aspect which is readily visiblefrom the outside. The outer first band 111 and the inside surface of thegarment define a channel 118 through which second flexible band 112, forexample a grosgrain ribbon, is moveable so as to provide adjustabilityand better control of the child. More specifically, when the leash isclipped onto the second flexible band 112 tension on the leash drawssome of the second flexible band 112 out of the channel 118. This gentlyconstricts the restraining device around the child for greater control.For example, if the child suddenly tries to dart away from thecaregiver, the restraining device will automatically provide addedrestraint. Also, the adjustability of the restraining device canaccommodate children of different sizes by the caregiver drawing outsome of the second flexible band 112 to take up slack in the event thegarment is too loose fitting.

The components of the child's garment and restraining device arefabricated from materials suitable for such a garment, depending on theparticular application and/or preference. One skilled in the art,however, will realize that such materials and fabrication methodssuitable for assembly and manufacture, in accordance with the presentdisclosure, would be appropriate.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description shouldnot be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of thevarious embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision othermodifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1. A child restraint system comprising: a) a garment having front, backand left and right sides; b) a restraint assembly including at least afirst band in contact with and extending at least partially around thegarment, and means for connection to a tether.
 2. The child restraintsystem of claim 1 wherein the restraint assembly includes a first outerband at least partially defining an interior channel and a secondflexible band extending through the interior channel.
 3. The childrestraint system of claim 1 wherein the outer band is fixedly attachedto the garment.
 4. The child restraint system of claim 2 wherein themeans for connection to a tether includes a cord stop positioned at theback of the garment and connected to the first outer band, wherein saidsecond flexible band extends out of the first outer band and across thecord stop.
 5. The child restraint system of claim 2 wherein the meansfor connection to a tether comprises a link attached to the outer bandat the back of the garment.
 6. The child restraint system of claim 5wherein the second flexible band includes two opposite end portionswhich extend out of the first outer band at the front of the garment. 7.The child restraint system of claim 3 wherein the garment includes anopening at the back thereof, said second flexible band extending acrosssaid opening, and wherein the means for connection to the tetherincludes a link connected to the second flexible band at said opening.8. The child restraint system of claim 7 further comprising flappositioned above the opening and movable between an open positionwherein said hole is exposed and a closed position wherein said hole iscovered and wherein said flap includes a first hook and loop typefastener strap and said garment includes a corresponding second hook andloop type fastener strip to secure the flap when in the closed position.9. The child restraint system of claim 2 wherein the restraint assemblyextends around the front of the garment and terminates at each of theleft and right sides of the garment, wherein the means for connection toa tether includes first and second links attached respectively to eachend portion of the restraint assembly at each of the left and rightsides of the garment.
 10. The child restraint system of claim 6 whereineach end portion of the second flexible band is connected to arespective portion of a two part snap connection buckle.
 11. The childrestraint system of claim 1 further including a leash having a tetherwith at least on snap link connector.
 12. The child restraint system ofclaim 9 further including a leash having a tether with at least two snaplink connectors.
 13. The child restraint system of claim 1 wherein thegarment is a shirt, blouse, jacket.
 14. The child restraint system ofclaim 1 wherein said second flexible band is fabricated from an elasticmaterial.
 15. The child restraint system of claim 2 wherein the firstouter band and/or the second flexible band is made of a grosgrainfabric.
 16. The child restraint system of claim 2 wherein the firstouter band is made of a material which is brightly colored, fluorescent,and/or highly reflective.
 17. The child restraint system of claim 2wherein the first outer band is sewn into the interior of the garment,the back of the garment includes two eyelets, and the second flexibleband extends outside of the garment between the eyelets.
 18. A childrestraint system comprising: a) a garment; b) attachment deviceincorporated into the garment for connecting a leash; and c) a leashreleasably connected to said attachment device.
 19. The child restraintsystem of claim 18 wherein the attachment device comprises a first outerband at least partially defining an interior channel and a secondflexible band extending through the interior channel.
 20. The childrestraint system of claim 19 wherein the first outer band is sewn intothe interior of the garment, the back of the garment includes twoeyelets, and the second flexible band extends outside of the garmentbetween the eyelets